Soccer: Coach in trouble after shove

By Terry Maddaford

Wollongong Wolves coach Nick Theodorakopoulos faces an uncertain future after shoving referee Matthew Breeze at the end of the Australian Soccer League clash with the Football Kingz at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday night.

Theodorakopoulos was incensed as the Kingz battled back to finish 3-3 with a cracking goal more than five minutes into added time against a Wolves side reduced to nine players after Esala Masi and David Huxley had been sent off by Breeze for crude tackles from behind.

Breeze also booked five visiting players and three from the Auckland-based team in an ill- disciplined display by Wollongong.

The Australian referee was being escorted from the field by other match officials when Theodor-akopoulos stormed across the field. After jostling Breeze, a couple of Wollongong players leapt in to restrain their coach who continued a verbal attack on the referee.

Not surprisingly, no one from the Wollongong camp turned up for the post-match media conference.

League manager Stefan Kamasz could not be contacted yesterday but it seems certain Theodor-akopoulos will be called to the league's judicial tribunal this week.

The two players ejected for second half tackles on Kingz captain Harry Ngata and Chris Jackson will receive automatic one-match bans but could be handed an extra game or two if called in front of the tribunal.

Stuart Reid, Matt Horsley, Neil Harlock and David Cervinski were all booked for foul play and goalkeeper Les Pogliacomi for dissent. Kingz players Aaron Silva and Fred de Jong were booked for dissent (kicking the ball away) and Ngata for retaliation.

The Kingz meet Wollongong at Christchurch's Jade Stadium on November 13. It promises to be a new-look visiting side if the extra suspensions are handed out.